Persistence Pays Off for Writers

Dani Shapiro says writers’ tenacity reminds her of a terrier with a bone, but it has its benefits.

In an essay posted on The Inner Writer, bestselling author Dani Shapiro writes about how difficult it has become for new writers to succeed in the publishing world today. With a focus on blockbusters and bestsellers, she wonders how writers will be able to take the time and put in the effort needed “to create something original and resonant and true?”

For most writers, the writing life is not the red carpet life. There are no lush scenes of privilege and excess. What writers get instead, she writes “is this miserable trifecta: uncertainty, rejection, disappointment.”

Woo hoo! Where do I sign up?

Ms. Shapiro’s insight is discouraging, but it’s also realistic. It’s a tough door to break through, but there is still room in the market for the newcomers. By focusing on the writing itself, and not on publishing, perhaps we can we can find the courage and the dogged tenacity to keep going when the rejections and doubts start piling up. That’s when we’ll find that the risks are worth the rewards.

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One thought on “Persistence Pays Off for Writers”

I also think it’s important to figure out (as best as we can) what we want out of writing. Being published and being read are not the same thing. Sometimes they go together and sometimes they don’t. I always advise people to explore the options of self-publishing (either through the web or through print-on-demand, or both). There are different options out there, and it’s important to figure out what it will take to really satisfy us and pursue that.